Minister for Education and Youth, Alan Tudge, says child care subsides have increased by 77 per cent since the Coalition took office. Verdict: Mr Tudge's claim is exaggerated.

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has released its 34th NQF Snapshot report, summarising quality rating results for education and care services operating under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

This paper argues that Australia should invest in financial support for parental care time for all children, with options suited to both parents, for at least the first 12 months after birth, and for universal public childcare for all children.

Despite government subsidies, childcare is still a significant cost for many families. This paper reviews available data on expenditure and affordability, and presents new analysis of household expenditure data to understand how much Australian families are spending on early childhood education and care, as a proportion of their disposable income.

This report examines the experience of the trades and shift-work segments of the workforce during COVID-19, and outlines a policy agenda that will provide support for these professions so that they remain an attractive career in future.